214 THE OLD BERKS HUNT 



with buckles at the knees ; a scarlet waistcoat, 

 very old fashioned, made with lapelle pockets ; 

 a good black coat, very little the worse for 

 wear, with a silk velvet collar ; a good hat, a 

 fine shirt with a frill, and a white cravat. The 

 Mayor assured me that I looked well, and the 

 clothes fitted as if I had been measured for 

 them. He then gave me ten shillings on his 

 own account, ten shillings on that of the 

 Sheriff, and five shillings which he said he had 

 begged of Mrs. Cole, which was £\ 5s.; also 

 a bundle of linen, with some necessaries, and 

 a clean napkin, in which to carry the bread 

 and meat. I thanked his Worship for all 

 favours, and took the road to Oxford. I was 

 stared at by everyone as I passed. Even the 

 children ran after me to have a look at the 

 showman." It is to be feared that Mayor 

 Cole and Squire Duffield wreaked their v^enge- 

 ance on all vagrants for some time after- 

 wards. 



Mr. Duffield's eldest son, George, was 

 accidentally killed in 1833. He had been out 

 shooting hares in Garford field with a keeper, 

 who rejoiced in the not inappropriate name of 

 Jelly. His gun went off as he was getting 

 through a hedge and killed him on the spot. 

 The news was brought to his father in a 

 terribly dramatic manner. A private road at 



